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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.11.01.621489

Characterization of a Novel Tequatrovirus Phage from Pristine Stretch of The Ganges River, India, in Reducing Bacterial Load from Sewage Water

Samson, R.·Pawar, A.·Khairnar, K.·Dharne, M.
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Abstract

Effective treatment of wastewater (WW) and its reuse is necessary to meet certain sustainable development goals and a circular economy. Escherichia coli is one of the primary contaminants in the WW, and its extra-intestinal occurrence poses a considerable threat under one health. This study is the first report of a novel broad-spectrum phage ([fe]ERS-1) isolated from a pristine stretch of the Ganges River in the biocontrol of E. coli, resistant to 3rd-and 4th generation cephalosporins and aztreonam. This is the first report of a phage from the Tequatrovirus genus to infect P. aeruginosa. The [fe]ERS-1 could reduce the abundance of E. coli cells by 8.22 log10 CFU/mL [≤]24 hrs. Additionally, {square} ERS-1 disrupted the biofilm of E. coli with a reduction of 3.88 log10 CFU/mL. Further, {square} ERS-1 could inhibit biofilm by multiple strains of E. coli and multiple genera (E. coli, S. boydii, and P. aeruginosa). The phage {square} ERS-1 reduced bacterial counts in raw WW by 2 log10 CFU/mL and 4 log10 CFU/mL reduction in coliform-enriched WW in [≤]24 hours. Overall, this study suggests that {square} ERS-1 could be used as an effective alternative to be combined with other treatments for improving the quality of WW disposal and environmental health by reducing the bacterial load. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=114 SRC="FIGDIR/small/621489v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (55K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1020e4dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f8e4d3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@176e4f0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b07465_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIIsolation of a novel phage from a pristine stretch of the Ganges River C_LIO_LIAntibiofilm activity against E. coli >8 log10 inhibition, >3 log10 disruption C_LIO_LIBiofilm inhibition of >50% against P. aeruginosa and S. boydii C_LIO_LI2 log10 and 4 log10 reduction of bacterial counts in phage-treated raw sewage C_LI

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Samson, R., Pawar, A., Khairnar, K., Dharne, M.. 2024-11-02. Characterization of a Novel Tequatrovirus Phage from Pristine Stretch of The Ganges River, India, in Reducing Bacterial Load from Sewage Water. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.01.621489

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